Amusement device



Nov. 5-, 1957 w. s. JANSSON AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed May 24. 1956 INVENTDRWALTER S. JANSSON ATTORNEY Unite This invention relates to a type ofswing in which a tilting or rocking motion is combined with the normallyexpected oscillatory motion of devices of this same general character.

The basic and well recognized amusement device, upon which thisinvention constitutes an improvement, includes a horizontal seat member,a pair of vertical supporting members pivotally attached at their lowerends to the opposite ends of the seat member, and an upper fixedhorizontal support to which the upper ends of the vertical members arepivotally attached. Suitable seats are also provided for accommodatingchildren at the opposite ends of the horizontal seat member. Now, asthis device is caused to oscillate, each child will be conveyed in anarcuate path, with the .elements of the device behaving as a swingingparallelogram. The seat member will remain at all times horizontal.

To construct the instant invention from the device described immediatelyabove, it would be first necessary to .split the horizontal seat membermidway between the two vertical supporting members and then to reconnectthe resulting two seat portions (at the split) by means of a centralpivotal joint; finally, a third vertical supporting member .(shorterthan the other vertical members) is pivotally attached at its lower endto this central pivotal joint and at its upper end to a pivot pointlocated below the level of the other two upper pivotal connections. Now,as the device of this invention (constructed in the manner outlinedabove) swings from side to side, the individual seat members will alsotilt or rock due to the relative foreshortening caused by the shorterand intermediate vertical member. Therefore, as will hereinafter morefully appear, this invention combines a swinging motion and a rockingmotion into a unitary device.

The feature of combining a swinging motion with a rocking motion is notconsidered to be broadly new, however; United States Patent No. 857,432issued to C. F. Bean on June 18, 1907 shows a device in which such acombination of motions is made possible. The instant invention permitsthe combination of the swinging and rocking motions in a novel andsimple manner not disclosed or suggested by the aforementioned Beanpatent.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide anamusement device of the type referred to above in which a swingingmotion is combined with a rocking motion in a simple and novel manner.

his a further object of this invention to provide a device of thecharacter described wherein the rocking motion may be modified oraccentuated by means of simple adjustments permitted therein.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of'this inventionwill hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detaileddescription of the drawings, in

which 'Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the amusement device of thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is'a fragmentary left-hand elevation, partly in rates Patent I2,812,011 Patented Nov. 5, 1957 section, showing the details of theupper pivotal connection for one of the vertical tubular elements.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary left-hand elevation, partly in section, showingthe details of the lower pivotal connection for the same elementillustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of this amusement device showing therelative positions of the various elements when the device is swung tothe left.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary left-hand elevation showing the details of theupper pivotal connection for one of the central vertical tubularelements.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Fig. 1 shows a pair of spacedhorizontal bars 1 and 2 connected at their ends by a pair of shorterbars 3 and 4 to form an upper rectangular supporting frame. Thisresulting rectangular frame is supported at its corners by four legs 5,5, etc. which are inclined outwardly towards the ground or floor uponwhich the device rests. The legs may be fastened at their lower ends tothe ground or floor by suitable clamping means (not shown) or they maybe imbedded in cement or concrete, as desired. Additional struts 6 maybe supplied to add to the rigidity of the outer frame structure.

To the conventional frame structure described above there is added atwo-part seat supporting member consisting of a left-hand portion 7 anda right-hand portion 8. These latter members which occupy asubstantially horizontal position as shown in Fig. l are approximatelyof U shape being connected at their overlapping ends by an elongatedbolt 9. As shown in Fig. l, a pair of vertical tubular members 22 (laterto be described) have their lower flattened ends 23 positioned betweenthe members 7 and 8 at this center joint. The bolt 9 passes throughcorresponding holes in members 7, 8 and 22 (at both sides) and through atubular spacer it) located between the opposite ends of seat supportingmember 8. As will later appear this bolt 9 forms a pivotal connectionwhich permits a relative angular movement between the two seatsupporting members '7 and 8.

Each seat supporting member 7 or 8 is supported intermediate its ends bya vertical tube or rod 11. The upper flattened end 12 of each tube 11(see Fig. 2) is pivotally connected to bars 1 and 2 by means of a bolt13 which passes through corresponding holes in the bars and theflattened end of the tube. Tubular spacers i4, 14 are provided onopposite sides of the tube ill to ensure its proper centering betweenthe bars 1 and 2. Bolt 13 is threaded at its ends to receive nuts 15,15.

Each tube 11 is suitably flattened as at 16 along a portion spacedupwardly from the lower end of the tube, as best shown in Fig. 3. A bolt17 passing through opposed holes in the seat supporting member 7 (or 8)and the flattened portion 16 serves to connect the tube 11 pivotally tothe seat supporting member. A pair of tubular spacers 18, 18 areprovided to locate tube 11 centrally with respect to the sides of theseat supporting member. Nuts 19, 19 are received on the ends of bolt1'7. Above and below the flattened portion 16, each tube 11 is providedwith transverse handles 2t) and foot rests 21, respectively.

As indicated previously, a pair of vertical tubular members 22 extendupwardly from their lowered flattened ends 23 to their upper flattenedends 24. The lower flattened ends 23, as explained above, are positionedbetween the overlapping ends of seat supporting members 7 and 8 andpivotally fastened thereto by means of bolt 9. The upper flattened ends24 (see Figs. 1 and 5) fit into the space between the lower bifurcatedends 25, 25 of the short supporting members'26, 26 which are welded attheir upper ends to the centers of bars 1 and 2. A bolt 27, having nuts28, 28 on its-ends,

passes through opposed holes in the bifurcated ends and the flattenedend 24 forming a pivotal connection for each tubular member 22 and itscorresponding short.

supporting member 26. Struts 29, 29, etc. are provided to reinforcesupporting members 26 as shown. A-cross member 30, similar to bars 3 and4, connectsbars 1 and 2 above the short members 26.

Additional holes 31, 31, etc. provided at corresponding positions alongbars 1 and 2 may be employed where it is desired to change the upperpivotal position of either (or both) of tubular members 11 along thebars 1 and 2. The tilting action of the seats may be modified oraccentuated accordingly. Seats 32 are provided at the ends of members 7and 8 for accommodating a child at each end thereof.

The operation of the device of this invention will be better understoodfrom a consideration of the diagram of Fig. 4. The latter figure reducesthe invention to its simplest terms by showing seven basic elements (theupper fixed horizontal support 1, the two outer vertical and swingablesupporting members 11, 11, the upper fixed vertical member 26, theintermediate and shorter vertical supporting member 22, and the two seatsupporting members 7 and 8) and six pivot points (13, 13, 17, 17, 27 and9). As the device is swung to the left, as shown in Fig. 4, members 11,11 will describe arcs of relatively long (and equal) radii, whereas theshorter member 22 will describe an arc of a correspondingly smallerradius. Therefore, at the center 9 of the two seat members 7 and 8 therewill be a relative foreshortening in the vertical direction, causing thecenter 9 to be raised relative to pivot points 17, 17 with a consequentrelative lowering of the seat portions at the extreme ends of members 7and 8. Thus, the occupants of the seats will realize a rocking ortilting sensation along with the swinging movement so as to simulate theeffect of a bucking bronco. The seat portions would also tilt downwardlyif the device were swung to the right in the same manner as describedabove.

The device of this invention admits of many modifications and variationswithin the scope of this invention. For example, the vertical tubularmembers 11, 11, could be replaced by heavy rope or cable. Pivot points13, 13 might be set farther apart or brought closer together byrelocating screws 13, 13 in the various auxiliary holes 31, 31 etc., asshown in Fig. 1; the tilting or rocking action would be affectedaccordingly. Also, by making the fixed vertical support 26 longer andthe intermediate vertical member 22 correspondingly shorter, the rockingor tilting motion might be further accentuated.

The basic feature of this invention involves the locating of the pivotpoint 27 at a level ditferent from that of pivot points 13, 13. Thisfeature (together with the splitting of the seat member into twosections) permits the vertical member 22 to describe an arc of adifferent radius from those of the outer vertical members 11, 11.Therefore, it would be within the spirit of this invention to locate thepivot point 27 above the level of the pivot points 13, 13, rather thanbelowthem as shown; in this case, the vertical member 22 would be longerthan either of the other vertical members 11, 11. Also, in this case theseat members would be tilted upwardly (rather than downwardly as shown)as the device oscillated from side to side. Therefore, the verticalmember 22 could be of any convenient length, longer or shorter thaneither of the members 11, 11, providing it (member 22) was not of thesame length as members 11, 11. The radial difference between the arcs,as indicated above, determines the degree of tilting or rocking motionprovided.

Also, pivot points 17, 17 could be moved closer to or farther away frompivot point 9 by relocating the screws 17, 17 in various holes (notshown) along seat members 7 and 8 similar to auxiliary holes 31 in bars1 and 2.

Other and further modifications, apart from those ded. scribed orsuggested herein, might be made within the spirit of this invention.

I claim:

1. In an amusement device of swinging type in which a substantiallyhorizontal seat member having seats at the opposite ends thereof isswingably supported from a fixed upper support by a pair of swingablesupporting elements extending downwardly from a pair of spaced upperpivot points on said upper support to a pair of spaced lower pivotpoints on said seat member and located on opposite sides of the midpointthereof, the improvement which comprises a pivotal connection on saidhorizontal seat member adjacent the midpoint thereof to divide saidhorizontal member into a pair of separate sections pivotal relative toone another at said pivotal connection, and an additional andintermediate swingable element pivotally attached at its lower end tosaid sections at said pivotal connection and pivotally attached at itsupper end to said fixed support, at a level appreciably ditferent fromthat of the pivotal attachments to said fixed support of the upper endsof said pair of swingable supporting elements.

2. In an amusement device of swinging type in which a substantiallyhorizontal seat member having seats at the opposite ends thereof isswingably supported from a fixed upper support by a pair of swingablesupporting elements extending downwardly from a pair of spaced upperpivot points on said upper support to a pair of spaced lower pivotpoints on said seat member and located on opposite sides of the midpointthereof, the improvement which comprises a pivotal connection on saidhorizontal seat member adjacent the midpoint thereof to divide saidhorizontal member into a pair of separate sections pivotal relative toone another at said pivotal connection, and an additional andintermediate swingable element pivotally attached at its lower end tosaid sections at said pivotal connection and pivotally attached at itsupper end to said fixed support, at a level appreciably below that ofthe pivotal attachments to said fixed support of the upper ends of saidpair of swingable supporting elements.

3. An amusement device of the character described comprising a pair ofseparate and substantially horizontal seat-supporting members arrangedwith their inner ends adjacent each other and providing at their outerends a pair of seats, an inner vertical member pivotally attachedadjacent the lower end thereof to the inner ends of said horizontalseat-supporting members and pivotally attached adjacent the upper endthereof to a fixed upper support, and a pair of spaced outer verticalmembers pivotally attached adjacent their lower ends to saidseatsupporting members at locations intermediate the ends of saidseat-supporting members, said outer vertical members beingpivotallyattached adjacent their upper ends to said fixed support in a horizontalplane that is appreciably spaced from the horizontal plane containingthe pivotal connection of said inner vertical member to said fixedsupport.

4. An amusement device of the character described comprising a pair ofseparate and substantial horizontal and longitudinally swingableseat-supporting members ar' ranged with their inner ends adjacent eachother and providing at their outer ends a pair of seats, an innervertical member pivotally attached adjacent the lower end thereof to theinner ends of said horizontal seat-supporting members and pivotallyattached adjacent the upper end thereof to a fixed upper support, and apair of spaced outer vertical members pivotally attached adjacent theirlower ends to said seat-supporting members at locations intermediate theends of said seat-supporting members, said outer vertical members beingpivotally at tached adjacent their upper ends to said fixed support in asubstantially horizontal plane appreciably above the horizontal planecontaining the pivotal connection of said inner vertical member to saidfixed support, whereby, upon swinging movement of the vertical membersin a substantially vertical plane, said seat supporting members willpivot relative to one another to provide a combined swinging and tiltingmotion.

S. An amusement device comprising an upper fixed supporting memberproviding first and second spaced pivot points located substantiallywithin the same horizontal plane, first and second outer verticalmembers of substantially the same length pivotally attached at theirupper ends to said first and second pivot points respectively andproviding near their lower ends third and fourth pivot pointsrespectively, a third inner vertical member spaced between said outervertical members and pivotally attached at its upper end to said fixedsupporting member at a fifth pivot point and providing near its lowerend a sixth pivot point, said fifth pivot point being in a horizontalplane appreciably spaced from the horizontal plane of said first andsecond pivot points, a first substantially horizontal seat-supportingmember pivotally attached intermediate its ends to said first verticalmember at said third pivot point, said first seat-supporting memberbeing pivotally attached at its inner end to said third vertical memberat said sixth pivot point, and a second substantially horizontalseat-supporting member pivotally attached intermediate its ends to saidsecond vertical member at said fourth pivot point, said secondseat-supporting member being pivotally attached at its inner end to saidthird vertical member at said sixth pivot point, the outer ends of saidseat-supporting members providing seats.

6. An amusement device comprising an upper fixed supporting memberproviding first and second spaced pivot points located substantiallywithin the same horizontal 6 A plane, first and second outer verticalmembers of substantially the same length pivotally attached at theirupper ends to said first and second pivot points respectively andproviding near their lower ends third and fourth pivot pointsrespectively, a third inner vertical member spaced between said outervertical members and pivotally attached at its upper end to said fixedsupporting member at a fifth pivot point and providing near its lowerend a sixth pivot point, said fifth pivot point being in a horizontalplane appreciably below the horizontal plane of said first and secondpivot point, a first substantially hori-- zontal seat-supporting memberpivotally attached intermediate its ends to said first vertical memberat said third pivot point, said first seat-supporting member beingpivotally attached at its inner end to said third vertical member atsaid sixth pivot point, and a second substantially horizontalseat-supporting member pivotally attached in termediate its ends to saidsecond vertical member at said fourth pivot point, said secondseat-supporting member being pivotally attached at its inner end to saidthird vertical member at said sixth pivot point, the outer ends of saidseat-supporting members providing seats, said de vice being swingable ina substantially vertical plane transverse to the axes of all of saidpivot points.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

